Chapter Ninety-Two

When Rain Star Moon hung up the phone, Wu Guanzhong suddenly felt a hollow emptiness in his heart. He could not understand why he had always longed for someone to ask him for help. Helping others had always been his greatest pleasure. Yet now that there was nothing to do, he discovered he had nowhere to put his abilities, and he felt that he was no longer suited to this kind of work. This time, when the job was finished, he decided he would resign and leave this place, go somewhere no one knew him, and work in peace.

A hacker’s work was simple enough: checking other people’s addresses, information, and secrets. For Wu Guanzhong, that was child’s play. It was precisely his love of computers that had caught the police’s attention. What was wrong with using those talents to contribute to the country? Perhaps he had simply grown weary of this day after day routine.

Before long, he finished the task assigned by the police. In ten minutes, Wu Guanzhong typed a five-hundred-character resignation letter and sent it to his superior. Not long after, the phone rang. Wu Guanzhong knew it was his superior, and that the man’s mood should be terrible if he was leaving.

As soon as he answered, he heard the accusation on the other end: “Why are you leaving? Are you planning to run?”

Wu Guanzhong said firmly, “I’m tired of this work. Resigning may let me escape this misery and no longer suffer. I want to try doing something else instead of just being a useless man sitting in front of a computer, prying into other people’s privacy.”

The voice on the other end fell silent. After a long while, it said, “Since your mind is made up, I won’t stop you. But you must promise that for the next year, you will not use your hacking skills again. If, within that year, others discover you, then you will have to come back and continue this work.”

Wu Guanzhong frowned. Was this some kind of bullying clause? Even if he left, he would still be restricted. But he still gritted his teeth and said, “Fine. But in that year, do not reveal my whereabouts to anyone either, or you’ll be sorry.”

“Don’t worry. We will absolutely not leak your private information. Even if you go somewhere else, we will keep it confidential. If you order us to let others know, that’s possible too,” said the voice on the other end.

The terms were fairly good. Whether he wanted others to know or not was in his own hands, so what was there to fear? After thanking the other side, he prepared to hang up. He truly did not want to hear that voice any longer. Just before the call ended, the other side emphasized once more, “Remember, do not let anyone know about your hacking skills. You are property of the state.”

After the call ended, Wu Guanzhong thought that was absurd. Property of the state? To him, it sounded more like the private possession of the police bureau, something that could not even be freely taken away. But going a whole year without using his hacking skills to investigate others was difficult for him. Then a thought flashed through his mind: if he could not use a computer, he could use a phone. After all, no one had said he could not search things on a phone.

Wu Guanzhong opened the wardrobe, packed his clothes into his suitcase, and glanced at the time. It was two in the afternoon, with two hours left before departure. He needed to leave before Lin Ling came back. Once he had finished packing and changed his clothes and shoes, he stood at the doorway with his suitcase and hesitated. In the end, he looked back one last time at the laughter and warmth of the rented room he had shared with Lin Ling.

His gaze fell almost unconsciously on the photo atop the television cabinet in the living room. It was their first picture together. Tears somehow began to fall. It was as if some force were pulling at him, refusing to let him leave. Wu Guanzhong hardened his heart, opened the door, and left the apartment without looking back.

After Wu Guanzhong left, Lin Ling returned to the rented room as well. “Guanzhong, I’m back.”

After taking off her shoes, she did not hear any reply from Wu Guanzhong. Usually, when Lin Ling came home, Wu Guanzhong would answer her, but today it was unusually quiet. She found this strange and went to Wu Guanzhong’s room. It was empty. She thought perhaps he had gone out to buy something, but when she saw that all the clothes in the wardrobe were gone, a bad premonition began to sprout in her heart.

She tried calling Wu Guanzhong, but no one answered. Lin Ling was already starting to panic, worrying whether something had happened to him. She rushed out to look for him and sent a message to Rain Star Moon on her way out.

After receiving Lin Ling’s message and learning that Wu Guanzhong was missing, Rain Star Moon immediately headed out as well. But just as he was leaving, he received a text from Wu Guanzhong, and his expression turned solemn.

“Please do not let Lin Ling know about this message. I have thought about it a great deal. Perhaps someone like me cannot give Lin Ling happiness. Leaving may be the best way to make our meeting count for something. Lin Ling is not suited for a tech geek like me. The longer I stay by her side, the less happy she becomes. So my departure can sever her attachment. Maybe when Lin Ling finds someone better than me, she will forget this useless man.” Signed, Wu Guanzhong.

If that was Wu Guanzhong’s wish, then he should not tell Lin Ling. Before deleting the message, Rain Star Moon took a screenshot of it, in case it might be useful later. Only after deleting it did he go out to search for Lin Ling.

By then, Wu Guanzhong was already in a taxi, staring at his phone. There were twenty-two missed calls, all from Lin Ling. He repeatedly wanted to answer, but he could not. This concerned Lin Ling’s lifelong happiness. Wu Guanzhong turned off his phone and looked out the window.

In his heart, he thought: I’m sorry, Lin Ling. Perhaps there is no fate between us in this life. I hope that when we meet again, you will already have forgotten this useless man, and by your side there will be a better boyfriend, one who loves you and cherishes you.

From the rearview mirror, the taxi driver noticed that Wu Guanzhong was in a poor mood and struck up a conversation. “Young man, you seem down. Did something troublesome happen?”

Wu Guanzhong said, “It’s just that someone gave up their own happiness for me. Of course I can’t feel good. How could someone like me let another person’s lifelong happiness rest in my hands? So I chose to leave and let her forget me.”

“You’re a pretty clear-minded fellow. But are you sure you’re doing the right thing? I don’t know what happened, but you’d better think it through. What she’s facing is loneliness. Is making her refuse to marry again because of you really what you want to see?” the taxi driver said.

It made sense, but Wu Guanzhong’s mind would not change. “I’ve thought it through very clearly. My decision is not wrong. She won’t be so foolish as to keep waiting for me. All I can do is wish her well and hope she finds someone who will treasure her. I will not interfere in her affairs anymore.”

The taxi driver sighed. “Is that so... Then all I can do is wish that you find someone who understands and accepts you. That’s my blessing to you, handsome. I’m all out of words.”

Wu Guanzhong smiled. “With those words, I already feel much happier. If, as you say, someone does understand and accept me, I would protect that person with everything I have. Talking with you really made me happy. I feel much better now.”

In truth, not much had been said. It was simply that Wu Guanzhong had been able to pour out everything in his heart, and his mood had improved. The taxi driver and Wu Guanzhong then talked about the plans for life ahead, about marriage and divorce and all those unpleasant things they chose not to dwell on, instead looking toward the brighter side.

At that moment, Rain Star Moon found Lin Ling resting on a bench. When he approached her, her face was ashen, as though she had lost far too much of her vitality.

Rain Star Moon shook her gently. “Senior, don’t scare me like this! In your condition, how can you still have the strength to look for Brother Wu?” He tried to pull her up, but Lin Ling shook off his hand.

“Senior...” Rain Star Moon looked at her, worried.

Lin Ling muttered, “No... no... Guanzhong is not that kind of person. He would not leave me.” In her condition, Rain Star Moon could not bear it. He wondered whether he should tell her what Wu Guanzhong had sent him. But to keep his promise, he did not tell her. It would not be too late to show her after she had forgotten Wu Guanzhong.

In order to cut off Lin Ling’s feelings for Wu Guanzhong, Rain Star Moon followed the current and told a lie. “Senior, Brother Wu just called me and said he has someone outside. He said you no longer have any attraction to him, and that he’s already grown tired of you.”

“No! I don’t believe Wu Guanzhong would be that kind of person!” Lin Ling still did not understand what kind of man Wu Guanzhong was. Saying that he had someone outside was impossible. Wu Guanzhong never went out; how could he possibly have someone else? Lin Ling absolutely would not believe it.